The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-08-18
A Scheme Which win Fail.

That the democrats should feel and
manifest good deal of pleasure at the
rivalry between Blaine and Sherman will,
of course, surprise no republican. There
is some reason, however, to believe that
the democracy is counting too much on
the influence which this rivalry will exert
on democratic prospects next year. A
strong element of the republican party in
Ohio undoubtedly prefers Blaine to Sher-
man. That element, contrary to expecta-
ton, offered no organized opposition to
the resolution of Endorsement for Sher-
man at the Toledo convention. 1t ac
quiesced in the action of the majority,
simply because it realized the importance
of republican harmony at this time, and
because it recognized the fact that Sher
mans lifelong and valuable service to the
party merited the Endorsement of the
state which he had so many years and so
worthily represented in national affairs.
Its devotion to Blaine is no less ardent
and unwavering than it was before, al
though the Endorsement by the convention
has probably strengthened Sherman's
chances of getting the nomination by
adding to his prestige in his own and
other states, among those whose prefer
ences have not yet been thoroughly fixed.
The democratic leaders are fully aware
of the strong sentiment in favor of Blaine
in Sherman's own state,and probably sup
pose this will be a source of Weakness to
the republicans in the present campaign.
At least it is likely that the hopes which
they are said to entertain of carrying
Ohio this year are based on an assump-
ton of this kind. 1t is reported that the
democracy will make vigorous canvass,
and that they believe that they can wrest
the state from the republicans in the ap-
preaching election.
The prospects in the Ohio canvass ar e
of course overwhelmingly in favor of the
republicans. Its record for years past
shows it to be reliably republican state,
except when the party is weakened either
by apathy or discussions. The democrats,
in recent years, carried it in 1877, 1882
and 1883. There was lack of harmony
in the party at each of those dates, 1882
being the great tidal wave year when
Cleveland received his big majority for
governor of New York, and when the
democrats were successful in so many
states in which the republicans had been
usually triumphant before. If the demo-
Gratis should carry Ohio this year they
would enter on the presidential campaign
with fair prospects of success. In the
years Immediately before the presidential
years the state has usually been carried
by the republicans. 1t has become sort
of superstition, in feet, among republicans
and democrats alike, that the party
which carries Ohio in the years next pre-
ceding national contests is the party
which is going to win the presidency
That belief has thus far been justified by
the records. Salmon p. Chase, who was
at the time free soil democrat, carried
the state in 1855, and Mr.. Hoadly, also a
democrat, carried it in 1888. In the years
Immediately following these contests the
democrats gained the presidency. In the
other gubernatorial canvasses between
those dates in the years just before
national elections the republicans won in
Ohio and also carried the country in the
presidential election succeeding. The
knowledge of this connection between the
Ohio election and that of the presidency
is probably one of the principal reasons
why the democracy are so DESTROYS oil
carrying the Buckeye state this year.
There is another reason, however, which
would fully justify the democrats in theil
attempts to win over Ohio from the re-
publicans. The possession of Ohio in 1881
would give the presidency to the demo
Gratis in that year, even if New Yorl
should be carried by the republicans, pro
viding the other states should vote as they
did in 1884. The democracy had 219 cleo
toral votes in that year, including thos'
of New York. Ohio went republican. l.
Ohio goes democratic next year and New
York republican, with no other chang,
from 1884 made, the democrats will have
2O6 electoral votes and the republicans 19I
I-2O1 being necessary to choice.
But there is not the slightest cause fol
republicans to fear that Ohio can be car
ried by the democrats in the canvass
which has just begun. The republican,
are harmonious throughout the state
They have agreed to submit all questions
regarding the presidency to vote at thu
primaries, at which delegates will b'
chosen to select the states representative
at the nominating convention Contrar,
TO democratic desires and expectations
the rivalries of presidential aspirants will
not enter into this campaign. Governo
Foraker will be supported by the full
strength of the party, as he deserves Il
be, and will undoubtedly be elected. TIL
prohibition vote is not likely to excee,
10000. In the canvass last year for secre
tary of state that party polled 28,9S
votes, while the republican plurality wa
11,781. The diversion from the republi
cans which the prohibitionists will max
this year is likely to be neutralized by tn
number of democratic votes which will b
cast for the labor ticket. Nevertheless, i
.. will not be wise for the republican part,
in the state to permit itself to be lulle,
into any feeling of overconfdence as t.
,, the result. Much may depend upon tn
outcome of this contest. Every republi
can elector of the state should be i'm
pressed with the Importance of depositin
, his ballot for the party candidates o.
election day.